Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromi525]

a waiter ushered me inside a restaurant (I watched such scenes on TV)
He often says "Your table is ready if you will follow me"

As far as I know in a conditional clouse just after If there is no
adverb.

this expression is an exception to the usage of If clouse?

[Mister Micawber]

.
And I see no adverb in that position here either, Hiromi-- not that an adverb is not welcome: Your table is ready if you will quickly follow me.

Are you speaking of the modal auxiliary verb 'will'? If-clauses are not normally set in the will-future because simple present serves that purpose: If you follow me, I will scream. Still, it occurs occasionally when the futurity of the action is stressed or in an effort (as here) to show increased courtesy.
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_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[hiromi525]

Yes, Mister Micawber, I'm speaking of the modal auxiliary verb 'will'
I understand your explanation very well.

Thank you very much